Why should those who do the right thing be persecuted? Persecution is an act that the powerful can do to the powerless. Generally, we have no particular objection to doing the right thing. But there is a great reluctance to be persecuted. This reluctance is instinctive, so we tend to believe that wanting to avoid […]
Sermon Topic: Beatitudes
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God
Happy are the peacemakers because they will be called sons and daughters of God in the name of the Father of the Son. And of the Holy Spirit in. Few years ago, I had a conversation which had a huge impact in the way I understood. I came to understand the sentence which I’ve just […]
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
On the Sundays of Lent, at Evensong, our preachers have explored the Beatitudes of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount. We have discovered that they are challenging and, as a parishioner said, harder to live up to than the ten commandments. Tonight, on this Palm Sunday, at the beginning of Holy Week we could […]
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
In the name of the true and living God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. Let me begin simply by saying thank you to Father Turner for this wonderful invitation to join you and passion tide for this fifth Sunday in Lent as we move toward Holy Week. It is a great joy for me […]
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Most of us might agree that we’d like to be comforted. We want the presence of God, the love of Christ, the support of friends, family, and community. But do we really have to go through the mourning? Can’t we bypass that? Or if we must mourn, can’t we do it privately and quietly, out […]
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Tonight I have the pleasure of exploring the first Beatitude with you in this Lenten series. I was struck by a reflection that the rector shared with this community on February 11th in his weekly email newsletter. He shared that a parishioner said she felt that the Beatitudes were harder to live by than the […]
Cherishing Anger
As you might know, the Rule of St Benedict was written in the 6th century for monks and nuns, that is for people who dedicate their lives to seeking God through worship, work, study, and hospitality in a community. People who devote themselves to a life-style of this kind remain human and exposed to failings […]
Salt and Light
Let’s drink to the hard working people Let’s drink to the lowly of birth Raise your glass to the good and the evil Let’s drink to the salt of the earth. [1] Words from the song ‘Salt of the Earth’ by the Rolling Stones and released when I was eight years old in 1968. It’s […]
Happiness taught by Jesus
“Delayed gratification.” It is a concept that has recently been highlighted in childhood education and parenting field. It is said that for a child to know how to wait patiently for his or her needs is a crucial key to developing into a successful adult. The reason why this is important in children’s education can […]
We Are Never Alone
To put it in one sentence: All Saints’ Day tells us that we are never alone. There are saints, and they surround us, all the time. *** When the storm was passed and our church reopened on Wednesday, when our three daily Eucharists resumed in the chantry chapel and this large holy space opened […]
